Intent: Ensure that IPRT's priority areas including addressing prison overcrowding, need to invest in alternatives to custody and expansion of the bail support scheme are included in next Department of Justice Statement of Strategy
Details: IPRT participation in Department of Justice consultation on Statement of Strategy
Participated in Department of Justice Statement of Strategy stakeholder consultation. Raised issues around prison overcrowding, need to invest in alternatives, expansion of the bail support scheme. Also spoke with John O'Callaghan about proposals on electronic monitoring and IPRT's position. - Event / Reception
Intent: We are of the opinion that this License is likely a market barrier. If this sets a precedent, the European market for safes could become fragmented into 27 local markets with their own Licences. We are of the opinion that the licence does not give a benefit regarding 'selling of safes'
Details: Irish Licence for Selling Safe PSA 94:2024
Intent: Advance the mechanism to address professional fees
Details: Mechanism to address professional fees paid to barristers who practice in criminal law by the Director of Public Prosecutions and under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Scheme.
Intent: Secure publication of reports by the OASA Review Group.::Called on Minister to outline a comprehensive timeline to respond to the OASA Review Group Reports.::Requested that a Parliamentary Question be asked on the publication of reports by the OASA Review Group. ::Call for repeal or amendment of the OASA to bring it in line with human rights law and standards.
Details: Offences Against the State Act (OASA) Review Group
Intent: Event launching IPRT Report on 26 May 2023 - Progress in the Penal System 2022 (or 'PIPS 2022') - the sixth in a series of annual reports benchmarking progress in Ireland's penal system.
Details: Event launching IPRT Report - Progress in the Penal System 2022
Contributors at the launch event included: His Honour Judge Paul Kelly, President of the District Court; Caron McCaffrey, Director General of the Irish Prison Service; Mark Wilson, Director of the Probation Service; Paul Grace, Team Leader at the Solas Project, John O’Callaghan, Deputy Secretary (Criminal Justice), Department of Justice; Mark Kelly, Chief Inspector, Office of the Inspector of Prisons. - Event / Reception
I emailed Oonagh McPhillips and she set up a meeting with John O'Callaghan and then Ken Keating who is over this area. The proposal is under consideration - Email
Intent: To secure the attendance of key stakeholders at IPRT event to launch 'Progress in the Penal System' and bring their attention to key recommendations in report.
Details: To engage with key stakeholders to speak at IPRT 'Progress in the Penal System' report launch
In April 2023, IPRT Acting Executive Director Molly Joyce engaged with key stakeholders in criminal justice agencies to ask them to speak at 'Progress in the Penal System' report launch and ensure they are aware / engaged with IPRT recommendations within the report. - Email
Intent: Raise concerns about impact on national security and human rights relating to procurement and use of Hilvision camera systems::Request Committee investigate issue of public policy and use of public funds.
Email correspondence with Mary Lou McDonald TD, Patrick Costello TD, Louise O'Reilly between February and March 2023. - EmailEmail to Maurice Buckley Chair, OPW, cc-ed to Peter Finnegan, Secretary General, Houses of the Oireachtas, Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan, John Callinan, Secretary General Department of the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD Regional Technical Group & Aontú, Micheál Martin TD, Mary Lou McDonald TD Independent Technical Group, Eamon Ryan TD, Solidarity/People Before Profit, Ivana Bacik TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD, Catherine Murphy TD Senator Jerry Buttimer, Roisin Shorthall TD - EmailMeeting with Minister for Justice, Simon Harris TD, Senior officials and advisers on 20 Feb 2023. - Meeting
